Lattice support structure

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a lattice support structure having mutually connected lattice bars, wherein the lattice support structure has lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structure as well as lattice bars connecting them directly or indirectly, wherein the connecting lattice bars are connected to the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction such that the spacing of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structure can be reduced on the folding in of the lattice support structure and can be enlarged on the unfolding of the lattice support structure, wherein at least one of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged stationary such that it is in a fixed position on the folding and unfolding of the lattice support structure; and in that at least one further of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged movable so that it undergoes a movement on the folding and on the unfolding of the lattice support structure.

The present invention relates to a lattice support structure havinglattice bars connected to one another, wherein the lattice supportstructure has lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction ofthe lattice support structure as well a lattice bars directly orindirectly connecting them, wherein the connecting lattice bars areconnected to the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal directionsuch that the spacing of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinaldirection of the lattice support structure can be decreased on theinward folding of the lattice support structure and can be increased onthe outward folding of the lattice support structure.

Such lattice support structures are known from the prior art.

They can be used, for example, as stable structural elements which canbe exposed to high mechanical strains in their outwardly folded state.An advantage of such lattice support structures substantially consistsof the fact that they can be folded inwardly, for example for thepurpose of transport, and are thus substantially easier to handle than arigid structure.

It is the underlying object of the present invention to further developa lattice support structure of the initially named kind in anadvantageous manner.

This object is solved by a lattice support structure having the featuresof claim 1.

Provision is accordingly made for at least one of the lattice barsextending in the longitudinal direction to be arranged in a stationarymanner such that it is fixed in place on the inward folding and on theoutward folding of the lattice support structure and for at least afurther one of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal directionto be arranged movably such that it undergoes a movement on the inwardfolding and on the outward folding of the lattice support structure.

Provision is thus made in accordance with the invention for at leastone, preferably a plurality, of the lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction of the lattice support structure to remain insitu on the inward and outward folding, that is, for it not to undergoany movement, whereas further lattice bars extending in the longitudinaldirection are moved thereto. Such an embodiment of the invention makesit possible to arrange the lattice support structure in a fixed mannervia the stationary lattice bars extending in the longitudinal directionand to fold them outwardly or to fold them inwardly as required.

The invention furthermore relates to a lattice support structure havingmutually connected lattice bars, wherein the lattice support structurehas lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction of the latticesupport structure as well as lattice bars connecting them directly orindirectly, wherein the connecting lattice bars are connected to thelattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction such that thespacing of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction ofthe lattice support structure can be reduced on the folding in of thelattice support structure and can be enlarged on the unfolding of thelattice support structure. Provision is furthermore made that at leasttwo of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction arearranged such that they carry out a relative movement to one anotherextending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structureon the folding and on the unfolding of the lattice support structure.

The lattice bars connecting the lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction are connected to the lattice bars extending inthe longitudinal direction such that the relative movement in accordancewith the invention is possible.

It is conceivable that a plurality of lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction of the lattice support structure are moved inparallel, and indeed relative to a plurality of lattice bars extendingin the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structure. It isthus conceivable, for example, that four lattice bare are provided whichextend in the longitudinal direction and of which two respective latticebars move synchronously and that two lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction carry out a movement relative to two furtherlattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction on the foldingand/or unfolding of the lattice support structure. The invention isnaturally not restricted to lattice support structures having fourlattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction. A smaller orlarger number is also conceivable and is covered by the invention.

The lattice support structure in accordance with claim 2 can becharacterized in that it is configured in accordance with thecharacterizing portion of claim 1, in that therefore fixed lattice barsextending in the longitudinal direction are provided.

Provision can be made that the fixed lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction and the movable lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction or the lattice bars movable relative to oneanother and extending in the longitudinal direction follow one anotheralternately.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention for themovable lattice bars to undergo a movement on the inward folding and onthe outward folding of the lattice support structure by which movementthe spacing and the relative position in the longitudinal direction ofthe lattice support structure of movable lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction are changed with respect to the stationarylattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction. It is thereforeconceivable that the movable lattice bars extending in the longitudinaldirection are moved toward or away from the stationary lattice bars onthe inward folding or outward folding and that, in addition to thischange of spacing, a relative movement of the stationary and movablelattice bars takes place in the axial direction, that is, in thelongitudinal direction of the lattice support structure.

The connecting lattice bars can be connected to the lattice barsextending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structurein a pivotable and/or displaceable manner. It is conceivable that thedisplaceable connection is achieved in that the lattice bars arepreferably pivotably connectable using sliding sleeves which run on thelattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction.

The connecting lattice bars can preferably be disposed in the outersurface of the lattice support structure.

The lattice bars extending in the longitudinal direction of the latticesupport structure can form the outer edges of the lattice supportstructure.

The shape of the lattice support structure is not restricted. It is thusconceivable to provide lattice support structures triangular, square,rectangular or polygonal in cross-section.

In this respect, the corner points of these lattice support structuresare preferably formed by the bars extending in the longitudinaldirection of the lattice support structure.

The lattice support structure preferably has a structure repeating inthe longitudinal direction made of lattice bars extending in thelongitudinal direction and of connecting lattice bars.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention for at leastsome of the connecting lattice bars to be formed by connection strutswhich extend in the outwardly folded state of the lattice supportstructure perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the latticesupport structure from one to another of the lattice bars extending inthe longitudinal direction of the lattice support structure.

These connection struts can have at least one joint by means of whichthey can be adjusted between an inwardly folded state and an outwardlyfolded state.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention for theconnecting lattice bars to be connected to one another at least in part.It is conceivable that connecting lattice bars spaced apart from oneanother in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structureare connected to one another, for example, via a linkage or via amechanism by means of which the spacing of the connecting lattice barswith respect to one another can be varied. This mechanism can be used toeffect the inward folding or outward folding of the total latticesupport structure.

To ensure that the outwardly folded lattice support structure does notcollapse in an undesirable manner, provision can be made for the latticesupport structure to have locking means by means of which the connectinglattice bars can be fixed in at least one position.

As stated above, means can be provided which act on at least two of theconnecting lattice bars such that the spacing of the connecting latticebars with respect to one another can be increased or decreased, wherebythe lattice support structure folds inwardly or folds outwardly.

These means can, for example, be formed by a linkage which is operatedby a motor, pneumatically, hydraulically or another manner and acts onthe connecting lattice bars. It is generally naturally equallyconceivable for means to be provided which act on the lattice barsextending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice supportstructure, and indeed such that their spacing from one another isincreased or decreased such that the lattice support structure is foldedoutwardly or folded inwardly.

Provision is made in another embodiment of the invention for at leasttwo of the connecting lattice bars to extend cross-ways and to beconnected at their intersection point to a further of the connectinglattice bars.

Provision can furthermore be made for at least two of the connectinglattice bars to extend cross-ways and to be connected at theirintersection point with a further of the connecting lattice bars and forthe intersection point to be connected to the joint of the furtherconnecting lattice bar.

The invention furthermore relates to a lattice support structure withstructures which can be spread apart, in particular to a lattice supportstructure in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 16, wherein thelattice support structure has pivotably arranged lattice bars, whereinthe pivotable connection is made such that one of the parts pivotablyconnected to one another has a projection; and in that the other one ofthe pivotably connected parts has a groove which is bounded on threesides by walls and in which the projection of the other part ispivotably received. The base of the groove thus serves as a boundary sothat a pivoting of the lattice bar is only possible for so far until theone of the named parts lies on the groove base. In this position, thelattice bar is thus blocked or a further pivoting is not possible. Sucha pivotable connection can be provided where two segments of a latticebar are pivotably connected to one another and/or where a lattice bar ispivotally connected to another part of the lattice support structure.

The lattice bar can have the projection at its one end region and thenamed groove at its other end region. It is possible in this manner toconnect a plurality of lattice bars to one another or to provide latticebars of different length. It is also generally conceivable to make bothends of the lattice bar with grooves or with the named projections.

It is particularly advantageous for a braking device or a fixing deviceto be provided which fixes the lattice bars in a specific pivotposition. It can, for example, be a drum brake, a disk brake or a shoebrake. The brake can e.g. be actuated hydraulically or mechanically. Thebrake can have brake shoes which have two projections, said brakesimultaneously coming into contact with the respective adjacent part,for example with the named projection, and thus developing an idealbraking effect, on actuation of the brake.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained inmore detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Thereare shown:

FIG. 1 a perspective representation of a lattice support structure inthe form of a lattice support segment in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2: a perspective representation of a lattice support structure inthe form of a lattice support structure segment in accordance with thepresent invention in a further embodiment;

FIG. 3: two assembled lattice support structure segments in accordancewith FIG. 2 in a perspective representation;

FIG. 4: further perspective and schematic side views and plan view ofthe lattice support structure in accordance with FIG. 2;

FIG. 5: a perspective representation of a lattice support structure inthe form of a lattice support structure segment in accordance with thepresent invention in a further embodiment;

FIG. 6: a perspective representation of a lattice support structure inthe form of a lattice support structure segment in accordance with thepresent invention in a further embodiment;

FIG. 7: a perspective representation of a lattice support structure inthe form of a lattice support structure segment in accordance with thepresent invention in a further embodiment;

FIG. 8: a perspective representation of a lattice support structure inthe form of a lattice support structure segment in accordance with thepresent invention with a triangular cross-section; and

FIG. 9: different representations of the lattice support structuresegment in accordance with FIG. 8.

FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective representation, a lattice supportstructure or a lattice support structure segment in a first embodimentof the present invention. The lattice support structure compriseslattice bars 10, 10′ which extend in the longitudinal direction andwhich are connected to one another by connecting lattice bars 20, 30,50. In this respect, the connecting lattice bars 20, 30, 50 are arrangedin the outer surfaces of the outwardly folded lattice support structure,whereas the lattice bars 10, 10′ extending in the longitudinal directionform the edges or, in cross-section, the corners of the lattice supportstructure.

In accordance with FIG. 1, the lattice bars 10 form stationary latticebars, that is, lattice bars which remain in situ, that is do not move,on the inward and outward folding of the lattice support structure. Onthe inward and outward folding, the lattice bars 10′ are movablerelative thereto.

The connecting lattice bars 20, 30 are each made such that they arearranged pivotably, but in a stationary manner, in their one end regionto a respective one of the lattice bars 10, 10′ extending in thelongitudinal direction and are arranged in their other end region via asliding sleeve 20′, 30′ displaceably relative to the other lattice bar10, 10′, preferably to a lattice bar extending adjacently in thelongitudinal direction. The connecting lattice bars 20, 30 arepreferably arranged pivotably at these sliding sleeves 20′, 30′.

As can further be seen from FIG. 1, further lattice bars 50 exist whichconnect the lattice bars 10, 10′ extending in the longitudinal directionand which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thelattice support structure in the outwardly folded state of the latticesupport structure. These connecting lattice bars 50 or connection strutshave a joint via which they are outwardly pivoted into the positionshown or are also inwardly pivoted relative thereto so that the limbs ofthe lattice bars 50 extend at an angle to one another.

As can finally further be seen from FIG. 1, rods 60 are provided whichconnect connecting lattice bars 50 to one another which are spaced apartfrom one another in the longitudinal direction. It is possible in thisway to effect an inward folding or an outward folding of the latticesupport structure by actuating these rods 60. These rods 60 can bedriven by a motor, pneumatically, hydraulically or in another manner,for example also manually.

A connection strut is marked by reference numeral 70 which is likewisehingedly pivotable and has the task of securing the lattice supportstructure in the outwardly folded state. This strut 70 extendsdiagonally between two lattice struts 10′ extending in the longitudinaldirection, as can be seen from FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a lattice support structure or lattice support structuresegment which differs from the lattice support structure shown in FIG. 1in that it is polygonal in cross-section. In this case, it is ahexagonal structure whose edges are formed by lattice bars 10, 10′extending in the longitudinal direction. As also in FIG. 1, stationarylattice bars 10 extending in the longitudinal direction alternate withlattice bars 10′ movable in the longitudinal direction.

As can further be seen from FIG. 2, connecting lattice bars 80, 90 areprovided in an end region of the lattice support structure and connect arespective three of the lattice bars 10 or 10′ extending in thelongitudinal direction. In this respect, the linkage 80 connects thethree stationary lattice bars 10 and the linkage 90 connects the threemovable lattice bars 10′.

FIG. 3 shows a lattice support structure comprising two of the latticesupport structure segments in accordance with FIG. 2. They are connectedto one another in their end regions via the lattice bars 10, 10′extending in the longitudinal direction.

Further perspective views and side views of the lattice supportstructure in accordance with FIG. 2 can be seen from FIG. 4. FIGS. 4 aand 4 b show the lattice support structure in side views. Perspectiveviews of the lattice support structure in accordance with FIG. 2 resultfrom FIGS. 4 c and 4 d and FIG. 4 d shows a cross-sectional view or aplan view of the lattice support structure from which the polygonalstructure of the lattice support structure results.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the lattice support structure inaccordance with the present invention. A difference to the embodiment inaccordance with FIG. 1 in particular lies in the fact that theconnecting lattice bars 20, 30 extend cross-ways, as can be seen fromFIG. 5. The cross-ways extending lattice bars 20, 30 are each arrangedpivotably in their one region at one of the lattice bars 10, or 10′ andare arranged pivotably in their other end region at a sliding sleeve20′, 30′ which extends displaceably on one of the lattice bars 10, 10′extending in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in which theintersection point of the connecting lattice bars 20, 30 is not disposedin the region of one of the lattice bars extending in the longitudinaldirection, as can be seen from FIG. 5, but approximately centrally onthe outer surface of the lattice support structure.

A linkage can furthermore be seen from FIG. 6 which consists of rods 120which each engage at one of the lattice bars 10, 10′ extending in thelongitudinal direction and converge to a common linking point 130. Therods 120 thus have the structure of a truncated pyramid, with two suchtruncated pyramids being adjacent to one another offset to one another,as can furthermore be seen from FIG. 6. These linkages 120 serve toeffect an inward folding or outward folding of the lattice supportstructure by actuation of the linking point.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a lattice support structure inaccordance with the present invention. As can be seen in detail fromFIG. 7, the connecting lattice bars 20, 30 are connected among oneanother as well as hingedly to the further connecting lattice bars 50,for example, via a bolt connection. On the inward folding or outwardfolding of the lattice support structure, the connecting lattice bars20, 30 are pivoted around the intersection point 150 and, at the sametime, the connecting lattice bars 50 are pivoted around their jointwhich is flush with the intersection point 150 and is connected theretoin a suitable manner.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a lattice support structure whichhas a triangular structure in cross-section.

FIG. 9 shows further views of this lattice support structure. In thisrespect, FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show side views and FIGS. 9 c and 9 dperspective views of the lattice support structure or lattice supportstructure segment.

The lattice support structures or lattice support structure segments inaccordance with the present invention serve as structural elements forthe most varied application purposes, for example, as scaffolding,carrying structures, components of cranes, etc.

1. A lattice support structure having lattice bars (10, 10′, 20, 30, 50)connected to one another, wherein the lattice support structure haslattice bars (10, 10′) extending in the longitudinal direction of thelattice support structure as well as lattice bars (20, 30, 50)connecting them directly or indirectly, the connecting lattice bars (20,30, 50) are connected to the lattice bars (10, 10′) extending in thelongitudinal direction such that the spacing of the lattice bars (10,10′) extending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice supportstructure can be decreased on the inward folding of the lattice supportstructure and can be increased on the outward folding of the latticesupport structure, at least one of the lattice bars (10) extending inthe longitudinal direction is arranged in a stationary manner such thatit is fixed in place on the inward folding and on the outward folding ofthe lattice support structure; and at least a further one of the latticebars (10′) extending in the longitudinal direction is arranged movablysuch that it undergoes a movement on the inward folding and on theoutward folding of the lattice support structure.
 2. A lattice supportstructure having mutually connected lattice bars (10, 10′, 20, 30, 50),wherein the lattice support structure has lattice bars (10, 10′)extending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structureas well as lattice bars (20, 30, 50) connecting them directly orindirectly, the connecting lattice bars (20, 30, 50) are connected tothe lattice bars (10, 10′) extending in the longitudinal direction suchthat the spacing of the lattice bars (10, 10′) extending in thelongitudinal direction of the lattice support structure can be reducedon the folding in of the lattice support structure and can be enlargedon the unfolding of the lattice support structure, and at least two ofthe lattice bares (10, 10′) extending in the longitudinal direction arearranged such that they carry out a relative movement to one anotherextending in the longitudinal direction of the lattice support structureon the folding and on the unfolding of the lattice support structure. 3.A lattice support structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein thelattice support structure is configured in accordance with at least oneof the lattice bars (10) extending in the longitudinal direction beingarranged in a stationary manner such that it is fixed in place on theinward folding and on the outward folding of the lattice supportstructure; and at least a further one of the lattice bars (10′)extending in the longitudinal direction being arranged movably such thatit undergoes a movement on the inward folding and on the outward foldingof the lattice support structure.
 4. A lattice support structure inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the stationary lattice bars (10)extending in the longitudinal direction and the movable lattice bars(10′) extending in the longitudinal direction follow one anotheralternately in the peripheral direction of the lattice supportstructure.
 5. A lattice support structure in accordance with claim 1,wherein the movable lattice bars (10′) extending in the longitudinaldirection undergo a movement on the inward folding and on the outwardfolding of the lattice support structure by which the spacing and therelative position in the longitudinal direction of the lattice supportstructure of the movable lattice bars (10′) extending in thelongitudinal direction is changed with respect to the stationary latticebars (10) extending in the longitudinal direction.
 6. A lattice supportstructure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connecting latticebars (20, 30, 50) are connected pivotably and/or displaceably to thelattice bars (10, 10′) extending in the longitudinal direction of thelattice support structure.
 7. A lattice support structure in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the connecting lattice bars (20, 30, 50) aredisposed in the outer surface or outer surfaces of the lattice supportstructure.
 8. A lattice support structure in accordance with claim 1,wherein the lattice bars (10, 10′) extending in the longitudinaldirection of the lattice support structure form the outer edges of thelattice support structure.
 9. A lattice support structure in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the lattice support structure has a structure oflattice bars (10, 10′) extending in the longitudinal direction whichrepeats in the longitudinal direction as well as connecting lattice bars(20, 30, 50).
 10. A lattice support structure in accordance with claim1, wherein at least some of the connecting lattice bars (20, 30, 50) areformed by connection struts (50) which extend in the outwardly foldedstate of the lattice support structure perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the lattice support structure from one to another of thelattice bars (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the latticesupport structure.
 11. A lattice support structure in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the connection struts (50) have at least one joint bywhich they can be adjusted between an inwardly folded state and anoutwardly folded state.
 12. A lattice support structure in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the connecting lattice bars (20, 30, 50) are atleast partly connected to one another.
 13. A lattice support structurein accordance with claim 1, wherein locking means are provided by whichthe connecting lattice bars (20, 30, 50) can be fixed in at least oneposition.
 14. A lattice support structure in accordance with claim 1,wherein means are provided which act on at least two of the connectinglattice bars (20, 30, 50) or of the lattice bars (10, 10′) extending inthe longitudinal direction such that the spacing of the lattice bars(10,10′, 20, 30, 50) can be increased or decreased relative to oneanother, whereby the lattice support structure folds outwardly or foldsinwardly.
 15. A lattice support structure in accordance with claim 1,wherein at least two of the connecting lattice bars (20, 30) extendcross-ways and are connected at their intersection point to a furtherone of the connecting lattice bars (50).
 16. A lattice support structurein accordance with claim 1, wherein at least two of the connectinglattice bars (20, 30) extend cross-ways and are connected at theirintersection point to a further one of the connecting lattice bars (50);and the intersection point is connected to the joint of the furtherconnecting lattice bar (50).
 17. A lattice support structure withstructures which can be spread apart, in particular a lattice supportstructure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the lattice supportstructure has pivotably arranged lattice bars, the pivotable connectionis made such that one of the parts pivotably connected to one anotherhas a projection; and the other one of the pivotably connected parts hasa groove which is bounded on three sides by walls and in which theprojection of the other part is pivotably received.
 18. A latticesupport structure in accordance with claim 17, wherein the lattice barshave the projection at their one end region and the groove at theirother end; or the lattice bars have grooves or projections at their twoend regions.
 19. A lattice support structure in accordance with claim17, wherein a braking device is provided which the lattice bars fix in aspecific pivot position.
 20. A lattice support structure in accordancewith claim 19, wherein the braking device is made as a drum brake or asa shoe brake.
 21. A lattice support structure in accordance with claim20, wherein the shoe brake is arranged at one of the parts pivotablyconnected to one another and has two projections which, on the actuationof the brake, simultaneous come into contact with the other of the partspivotably connected with one another.